South, East, and Southeast Asia I Vocabulary

Bodhisattva

an “enlightened being”; a person who guides others.

Calligraphy

in Greek, means “beautiful writing.” It is handwriting or penmanship, especially elegant writing as a decorative art.

Chakra

a discus or wheel; sometimes a solar symbol. In Buddhism, the _______is the wheel of law, sometimes referred to in Buddha’s first sermon, in which he put the wheel of the law into motion. In Hinduism, the _______ is an attribute and weapon of Vishnu.

Colophon

an inscription, usually on the last page, giving information about a book’s manufacture. In Chinese painting, written texts on attached pieces of paper or silk.

Gopuras

the massive, ornamented entrance gateway towers of South Indian temple compounds.

Handscroll

In Asian art, a _____ is a horizontal painted scroll that is unrolled to the left and often used to present illustrated religious texts or landscapes.

Lakshana(s)

the distinguishing marks of the Buddha. They include the urna and ushnisha.

Literati

In China, _______ were talented amateur painters and scholars from the landed gentry.

Mandapa

pillared halls of a Hindu temple.

Overglaze

In porcelain decoration, the technique of applying mineral colors over the glaze after the work has been fired is known as an ______. The _______ colors, or enamels, fuse to the glazed surface in a second firing at a much lower temperature than the main firing.

Pagoda

a Chinese tower, usually associated with a Buddhist temple, having a multiplicity of winged eaves. ________ are thought to be derived from the Indian stupa.

Porcelain

an extremely fine, hard, white ceramic. Unlike stoneware,_______ is made from a fine white clay called kaolin mixed with ground petuntse, a type of feldspar. True porcelain is translucent and rings when struck.

Underglaze

In porcelain decoration, the technique of applying of mineral colors to the surface before the main firing, followed by an application of clear glaze is known as an_______.